when the Parking Brake is set? The light comes on when the car is started but goes out even though the Parking Brake handle is up? It is a simple circuit as far as I can see.
Either the switch grounds the light or not...correct? Do these switches fail easily?

 

Bulb could be burned out or covered up. I recall reading a thread a while back about a guy who bought his car from a dealer, only to find a few weeks later that the dealer had taken apart the dash and covered all the idiot lights with electrical tape. (because they were all on )

Apart from that, does the parking brake actually work when you lift the handle up, even though the light doesn't come on?

 

it just goes out after the car is started. When the Parking Brake handle is lifted and the rear brakes do engage...the light just does not come on.
I am starting to think the the little trigger switch is shot. But it seems ok.
It is very simple circuit.

 

sorry, misread that first part. Not common for that switch to fail but anything's possible. not a big enough deal to tear apart the center console IMO.